Like the players are going to say otherwise? Who's going to say we don't want him back if asked, especially in front of the media.

Exactly, furthermore, we don't know what's motivating them. For all we know, they could just really want their buddy on the team. Everyone involved within the organization that has spoken in favor of cleary is pretty secure in his job and has a cup(s). I know, people are going to come at me saying "these guys are professional competitors, blah blah blah". I know this, but they're also human. It may not be a conscious decision, I'm not saying they don't care about winning. I'm just saying they may be a bit complacent. Such complacency, coupled with friendship and loyalty, can severely cloud someone's judgment and cause them to overvalue someone like cleary. Of course, this is all speculation on my part, but it's no different than others insisting that the players are correct to want cleary on the team.

This may be way off, but his "attitude" may partially stem from the fact that he's 5'9. And that's what he's listed at, so he's really 5'7 or 5'8. Shorter hockey players always have to do a little more proving, at every level, and it can harden a guy, put a chip on his shoulder. Add to that the fact that he's European, which, of course, means he's an extremely soft player (sarcasm), and you can have an individual who's maybe a little angry at the world to begin with. Then he spends four years - four years - in the stage (AHL) right before the one that's spelled "true success" (NHL). And he proves himself as much as he can. And you can fill in the rest. (And there's a language barrier. And...)

Also, because he's still a kid, he's still very much a work in progress. Now, that isn't to say that all players aren't works in progress. They are. Even the old ones. But you know what I mean. Point is, given where Tatar is at in terms of his overall development (the AHL can barely contain him; he's sick, in a very good way), sticking him in Grand Rapids for a fifth straight year, or even forcing him to split time between the big club and the small club (and you know he would/will be getting about four seconds a night under Babs) just isn't fair to him and would almost certainly be detrimental to his development. This worries me because any time a player finds himself in this kind of a position, the odds are good he's gonna be traded.

I'm kind of rambling, but one last thing: I really like that he said this is the team he wants to play for. You might think every prospect says that about his respective NHL club, but, really, that's not the case. I think generally you get a lot of "Y'know, whatever Mr. So and So thinks is best, that's what I'll do. I love this organization, but I don't really have a big say in the matter, so I don't see a point in worrying about it." So, to me at least, it's refreshing to hear (read) someone say, "This is where I want to be. I'm pissed/worried/whatever because I want to be HERE."

DANIEL CLEARY HATES KIDS. AND PUPPIES.

Edited by Dabura, 14 September 2013 - 01:11 PM.

"If I were to wish for anything, I should not wish for wealth and power, but for the passionate sense of the potential, for the eye which, ever young and ardent, sees the possible. Pleasure disappoints, possibility never. And what wine is so sparkling, what so fragrant, what so intoxicating, as possibility!" - Kierkegaard

Exactly, at least for the short term I see Gus being in GR. Helm on IR and it's one of Eaves, Tootoo, Sammy or Bert that get cut. If they can move two then great but think one is more realistic and would see Gus play a little more AHL than needed.

Exactly, at least for the short term I see Gus being in GR. Helm on IR and it's one of Eaves, Tootoo, Sammy or Bert that get cut. If they can move two then great but think one is more realistic and would see Gus play a little more AHL than needed.

"If I were to wish for anything, I should not wish for wealth and power, but for the passionate sense of the potential, for the eye which, ever young and ardent, sees the possible. Pleasure disappoints, possibility never. And what wine is so sparkling, what so fragrant, what so intoxicating, as possibility!" - Kierkegaard

To be fair, Holland telling Malik something isn't really 100% confirmation and words written in stone.

Has he said this publicly? Holland I mean. Or - not to slight Malik, but - has he said this to any "big names" in the media? I don't mean "Well certainly the expectation is..." I mean that Tatar WILL be one of the 14 forwards.

Genuinely curious. Not because I wanna be all like HAAA SEE THERE WHAT DID I TELL YOU, HOLLAND'S A DIRTY LIARRRRR or whatever. I just really want Tatar to get his piece of whatever that thing is Babs is always talking about. (Pie? Cheese? Pizza?)

(I'm behind on the news. Normally I'd be on top of this. So, apologies if I'm coming off as, like, a total 9/15/2013 n00b.)

Edited by Dabura, 15 September 2013 - 02:23 PM.

"If I were to wish for anything, I should not wish for wealth and power, but for the passionate sense of the potential, for the eye which, ever young and ardent, sees the possible. Pleasure disappoints, possibility never. And what wine is so sparkling, what so fragrant, what so intoxicating, as possibility!" - Kierkegaard

To be fair, Holland telling Malik something isn't really 100% confirmation and words written in stone.

Has he said this publicly? Holland I mean. Or - not to slight Malik, but - has he said this to any "big names" in the media? I don't mean "Well certainly the expectation is..." I mean that Tatar WILL be one of the 14 forwards.

Genuinely curious. Not because I wanna be all like HAAA SEE THERE WHAT DID I TELL YOU, HOLLAND'S A DIRTY LIARRRRR or whatever. I just really want Tatar to get his piece of whatever that thing is Babs is always talking about. (Pie? Cheese? Pizza?)

(I'm behind on the news. Normally I'd be on top of this. So, apologies if I'm coming off as, like, a total 9/15/2003 n00b.)

Pretty cool to read. I'm not entirely sure how I feel about Malik tweeting Tatar that he's going to be on the team. I don't think "unprofessional" is the word I'm looking for here, but there's just something kind if weird about it. I mean, Tatar has been a bit confused, but you'd think he knows more than a local blogger. It's kind of like saying, "Hey man, your girlfriend is going to say 'yes' to your proposal." I dunno - good to read, either way.

As far as eating crow, I'll admit I overreacted at the beginning, but it's also completely logical to assume that he could have been one of the guys to move. When you compare the guys on the bubble, he's one of the few with any trade value. Bert and Sammy don't have much value to other teams, and would likely enforce their NTCs. Emmerton has value as a center (with Helm out) and most of us would like to see Gus in Detroit, not GR. That leaves Eaves and Tootoo, who may not have much value to other teams (but at least one of them is going to have to move - perhaps both once Helm returns).

My best guess is Helm on LTIR, Gus in GR and Tootoo is moved... then maybe Eaves once Helm returns down the road. Going to be interesting if/when injury issues arise and they want to call Gus up. He's only got two games in the NHL before his waiver eligibility runs out.

Pretty cool to read. I'm not entirely sure how I feel about Malik tweeting Tatar that he's going to be on the team. I don't think "unprofessional" is the word I'm looking for here, but there's just something kind if weird about it. I mean, Tatar has been a bit confused, but you'd think he knows more than a local blogger. It's kind of like saying, "Hey man, your girlfriend is going to say 'yes' to your proposal." I dunno - good to read, either way.

If Holland actually said those exact words to reporters, I have to believe he's told Tatar that in person. Maybe he had a talk with him to calm him down after this Cleary business.